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yesterday

YNW Melly Co-Defendant Takes Plea Deal That Drops Murder Charges

His cooperation could influence prosecutors’ strategy as YNW Melly’s retrial approaches in 2027.

Cortlen Henry, known as the rap star YNW Bortlen and co-defendant of YNW Melly, enters a Broward County courtroom on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. He is set to plead no contest to accessory to murder in the shooting deaths of rappers Anthony “YNW Sakchaser” Williams and Christopher “YNW Juvy” Thomas Jr. Prosecutors say Henry was the driver when Melly opened fire, then helped stage the scene to look like a drive-by. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Overview

  • Cortlen “YNW Bortlen” Henry pleaded no contest to two accessory-after-the-fact counts and two witness-tampering counts one day before jury selection.
  • Prosecutors agreed to dismiss two first-degree murder charges in exchange for the plea.
  • Henry will receive a 10-year sentence with roughly four years already served, followed by six years of probation.
  • The agreement includes a proffer to investigators, and he will deliver a sworn statement explaining his role in the 2018 shootings.
  • Henry’s lawyer says he is not required to testify against Jamell “YNW Melly” Demons, whose first trial ended in a mistrial and whose retrial is set for early 2027.